ESPN launches live TV app, WatchESPN

A new app called WatchESPN has hit the iTunes App Store, and does what it says it does — that is, if you’re a subscriber of participating cable/IPTV company.

Using TV Anywhere for authentication, the iPad and iPhone app streams live programming from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com. No frills, just the stream. But you have to be a subscriber of Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV.

“When we launched in 1979, nobody envisioned a day when people would carry ESPN in their pockets,” said George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports. “But here we are. And we’ve reached this watershed moment for the industry through tremendous collaboration with forward-thinking partners.”

Meanwhile, Time Warner Cable headed to court today to urge a judge to confirm what it says is the cable company’s right to stream live TV to the Time Warner iPad app.